After Ryan school murder, Haryana education department to set up school security regulatory body

Gurgaon: Twelve days after the gruesome murder of Pradhuman Thakur inside the Ryan International School, the Haryana Education Department on Thursday decided to constitute a regulatory body to look after security and educational standards of private and government schools in the state. Additional chief secretary (Education) of Haryana KK Khandelwal said the students security in schools is a “major issue”, especially after the murder of the seven-year-old student. [caption id=“attachment_4046751” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Ryan International School. Wikimedia Commons[/caption] “The regulatory body will work similar to vigilance bureau of electricity to keep an eye on mismanagement in schools. The body will be entitled to conduct surprise checking in schools and recommend for cancellation of license and penalties under the Haryana Education Act to the ministry concerned,” he said. Khandelwal said the education department is focusing on “safety and security” of over 25,000 schools, including 13,500 private schools, in all 23 districts of the state. He also pointed out to introduce scouts and guides in private schools to encourage students to take self-defence courses. Khandelwal also said that the Haryana education minister will table a new act in the next assembly session to keep a tab on fee structures of private schools. “The new act is part of the Haryana Education Act and the regulatory body will have the power to use it against schools if they found them under below standards on the education front,” he added.